House Republicans Contemplate Debt Prioritization Bill in Anticipation of Looming Default
As the prospect of a default grows more likely, House Republicans are taking steps to address the issue by drafting a plan to coordinate how the U.S. government would pay its obligations.
As the deadline for the U.S. debt limit nears, House Republicans are preparing to present a proposal to establish a framework for how the government would manage its forthcoming expenses, signaling a growing determination to confront the looming fiscal crisis. The proposal aims to address the possibility of default, which has intensified concerns among lawmakers in Washington.
A key committee is set to evaluate a new measure on Thursday to ensure that the U.S. government can meet its debt obligations and honor Social Security payments to seniors. The proposed system would prioritize agencies and programs funded by available federal funds in case of a default. This bill aligns with the Republican strategy since assuming control of the House earlier this year, which involves securing significant spending cuts by refusing to raise the debt ceiling.
The specter of default is looming over Washington, and in response, House Republicans are gearing up to unveil a proposal that would map out how the U.S. government should pay its future bills. This move underscores the GOP’s growing resolve to tackle the escalating fiscal crisis pic.twitter.com/2Cfr0nRKLE
The debt ceiling determines the legal limit of the government’s borrowing capacity to pay for already authorized congressional expenditures. Failing to raise or suspend the cap by the end of the year would create a financial crisis with far-reaching consequences. Federal officials and leading economists have warned that a default could have severe consequences for the United States, including a potential loss of millions of jobs, a recession, and global market instability.
Republican leaders propose an emergency plan to prevent default and protect the U.S. from a fiscal crisis. The sprawling U.S. government would be forced to make unprecedented and difficult choices regarding which programs to sustain since the country runs an annual deficit of $1.4 trillion in the 2022 fiscal year. These choices would be particularly challenging given the scale and complexity of the government’s responsibilities.
Known as the Default Prevention Act, the move would allow the administration to continue borrowing to pay for existing debt. The GOP believes this approach would avert a default and reassure anxious bond markets. Fox News obtained documents revealing the plan’s details, which party lawmakers are advocating as a prudent way to safeguard the country’s economic stability.
The GOP proposal would enable the government to continue operating and meeting its debt obligations while avoiding a default. Under the Republican plan, the Treasury Department would be mandated to prioritize certain payments over others, with particular emphasis on funding the Defense Department and veterans’ benefits, while prohibiting salary payments to members of Congress and executive branch employees. This strategy is designed to alleviate market participation concerns and safeguard the country’s financial well-being.
White House Opposes GOP Proposal
In 2015, House Republicans passed a reduced version of the proposed legislation, although the Senate did not vote on the bill. Democrats at the time objected to the legislation, arguing that it could lead to significant reductions in funding for critical programs, including those focused on national security and social welfare, due to financial constraints. The Democrats argued that these programs were essential to the country’s well-being and that cutting their funding was not a viable solution.
The White House reiterated its opposition to the Republican proposal on Wednesday. According to spokesman Michael Kikukawa, the GOP measure prioritizes foreign bondholders, including billionaires and Chinese banks, at the expense of working Americans. Kikukawa warned that the legislation would jeopardize funding for essential government programs, such as Medicaid for people with disabilities, and military service members, veterans, teachers, and students.
Technical Difficulties to Implement the GOP Proposal
The White House believes that the Republican plan is not a suitable solution and could have significant consequences for those who depend on government support. Kikukawa urged Congress to fulfill its responsibilities and avoid an economic catastrophe by preventing a default. He dismissed the Republican proposal as a flawed and inadequate solution that would harm ordinary Americans. According to Kikukawa, the only viable option is for Congress to take decisive action and prevent a default from occurring.
Debt Prioritization Bill Under Consideration by House Republicans amid Impending Default Source: Web
In addition to the political challenges, economist Brian Riedl warned of technical difficulties in implementing the Republican proposal. Riedl, who works at the Manhattan Institute, highlighted that the U.S. government’s computer systems are not equipped with the necessary technology to prioritize payments in the manner outlined by the GOP plan. According to Riedl, the proposal would only be workable if a new system is developed within the next few months. Even if a new system is created, Riedl cautioned that it might not be enough to prevent a bond market panic.
Republicans Bill and Biden Budget for 2024 Fiscal Year
House Republicans are preparing to present their proposal to the House Ways and Means Committee, with the possibility of a full House vote. The move comes as the party seeks to fulfill a commitment made by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to his conservative members earlier this year. However, the GOP’s push for a plan to prioritize government payments underlines the high stakes involved if Democrats and Republicans cannot resolve soon to avoid a potential economic crisis.
The House GOP’s decision to introduce a default prevention bill coincides with President Biden’s release of his budget for the 2024 fiscal year, which includes a plan to reduce the deficit by $2 trillion over the next ten years. The budget also aims to protect the future of Medicare, with savings achieved through new tax increases targeting wealthy individuals and some corporations. Biden’s budget proposal marks the beginning of the annual spending process on Capitol Hill.
Ahead of the formal release of Biden’s budget for the 2024 fiscal year, which aims to reduce the deficit by $2 trillion and secure the future of Medicare, some Republicans have already criticized the proposal, saying it doesn’t cut spending enough and includes tax hikes. On Tuesday, Representative Jason T. Smith (R-Mo.) held a field hearing criticizing President Biden for “treating family farms like piggy banks to pay for more welfare for the wealthy.”
